Considering getting a CD player (again). Used? New? Criteria?

I appreciate the info about the Rega valve, but I’m hoping to cap this expense around $700 or so, and that suggestion is around $11k ( https://soundorg.com/valve-isis-reference/ )

I’ll look into the Emotiva, the Cambridge, and the Rega Apollo used. The Emotiva's 5 year warranty is really confidence-building, though Marantz's 3 year warranty is decent, too.

The challenge with audio is knowing where to spend big and where to spend moderately. With CD’s, I know that there will be other ways I’ll be getting my music, so this decision to spend moderately is a straightforward one.

Thanks! That's great to hear. I suppose I can just power the DAC with a usb hub or wall unit?

The idea of a separate transport makes sense, but until I get a new DAC and probably amp gear, I’ve only got an Audioengine D1. It’s powered by USB but has an optical input. Would that work?

Any opinions on Audiolab 6000CDT?

Itsjustme I have certainly not ruled out streaming and in fact I am certain I will continue to do streaming. But I like the simplicity of playing CDs and I like the ability to play music without my computer. I am too much of a novice to have an opinion about the finer points of computer noise and that kind of thing, so I’m content to envision myself sitting and listening and reading liner notes, the way I used to. This would be in addition to streaming not instead of it.

Wow, lots of great suggestions. One question becomes "How old is too old?" I see there's a division between transport-only and regular players. 

The TEAC looks interesting but it’s showing up discontinued for retail. Maybe used…

Bob, I hear you about the tray. I think Denver, where I am, may have people who could repair. I love the idea of a MW mod, but they’re way more than I can spend.

Jafant — I will! There’s so much advice on this thread, it gets foggy in my head. However, the more I think about the transport-only option, the more it makes sense -- no money wasted on anything but good, solid transport. I’m just really hesitant to buy a CD player used, even a good one, because of the mechanical wear and tear it could have gone through.

I’m getting tired and need to sleep. I’m really most inclined toward the Cambridge or Audiolab transport at this late hour, but who knows tomorrow!

Will let you know.

@ericsch The Rega Apollo R is $1,095, which is not in my price range. My upper limit is $700. Maybe someday, but I’m sticking with my own parameters.

@mcstin The Node2 streamer is something I’m considering also. But my inquiry is not an either-or. I’m looking for a CD player so I can play CD’s.

@marklings Thanks for confirming my own instincts. I’ve had two CD players die over the years on me. They were fairly inexpensive, so this time I’m seeking new and something sturdy, but without going spending-crazy on a format that will only be a utility infielder in my lineup (hence the price limit).

@twodolphins The Ear Yoshino looks great, and lists for $6795, nearly 10x my budget.

@jafant I’ll do my best to go listen! The tricky part is knowing that what I’m hearing is coming from the CD player itself. And while listening always contains a number of variables, at least if one brings something of one’s own gear — e.g. I brought my speakers to a store to hear their speakers, side by side — one can get something of evidence. I suppose I could side by side players at a store, but transports seems more difficult. And comparing a transport with a full player isn’t going to cut it at my price point. That’s why mechanical hardiness and price are so key for something like this. This is more likely to be an untried purchase than, e.g., speakers or amps.

Thanks to all, yet again. Came across this little video by Paul McGowan: Question comes in at 1'05":
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGOWAWZODAY&t=110s

Essentially he says, don't buy something expensive if your system isn't very expensive. In this particular question, he even dissuades from Cambridge and Marantz mid-fi because, on a budget, they won't make a difference. Listen to his answer for the nuance, because he is not saying transports don't matter!

Audiolab keeps getting votes! Regarding Cambridge: Interesting mods to Cambridge. Guttenberg channel. Pretty simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoxC3st7WQw

jsal3689 -- I just ordered it! Cambridge website is out, but Crutchfield had it. 60 days to try it out. I may get something else so I can A/B it. Thanks for the cable suggestion, too.

Ft. Collins is a ways, but noted! And yes, avoiding used.

Any suggestions for coax or optical commensurate with a Cambridge? (In other words, no cables that cost as much as the unit!)

Thanks for these additional suggestions. I'm starting to go audition new amps, etc. too. 

@sj00884 What interconnects do you like? I'm getting the Cambridge CXC transport and it has SPDIF Coaxial or Toslink Optical outs. I've read that there's no difference with optical, but for Coax, any thoughts?

Re: new vs. used. Everyone has different perceptions of risk and risk tolerance. If I buy a used player, I have no idea how hard it was used by the previous owner (or their family). All that matters is that it works when they sell it. Unlike a car, it has no odometer. If I buy new, I know it's new and there's a warranty for years. Audio hobbyists are fine with owning many different CD players and/or getting replacements. I'm not planning on making CD's central to my audio life, and so I want to do something reliable here and not revisit it. Better ways to spend my time and money.

Re: transport vs. CD players. Lots of folks continue to weigh in with their best CD player suggestions. I'm fairly convinced that I don't want to pay for the DAC section of a player if I'm going to purchase a kick-ass DAC that I will use in lieu of the CD players DAC. If I just pay for transport, from a good brand, I'll get better transport.

These are just the way the advice here is striking me, given my situation. There's a lot of good info here for those in a different situation, so glad people are taking the time to weigh in.

@mesch Thanks. I ordered the Cambridge and will try it out. Got it for $399, new. The Audiolab has good reviews but is, as you say, twice the price. For some, the stakes here are higher than they are for me; I simply won't be able to determine how good a choice this was until I have settled on a DAC, a new preamp/amp, and speakers. With all those choices yet to come, more analysis of this choice seems imprudent!

@Roadsterluver I will rip my CD's too. Not an either or.
@larry I'm not ruling out streaming or internet (as I said over and over in this thread). CD's may be a thing from the past, but I own them and the idea of putting one on is appealing. You might still own a physical book. They're pretty old, too. They have their own rituals and haptics, which I also like.

Very good arguments against 1. used and. 2. Expensive

@mesch Thanks for the recommendations. I will likely try optical cable first. I've been trying to sort out when and where differences in cables matter -- I know this is a very controversial question and I don't have an opinions of my own. I did see this article: https://www.cnet.com/news/when-are-expensive-cables-worth-it/
which at least starts me on the topic, and I watched a Hans Beekhuyzen video or two about Audio Hygiene. It's clear to me, so far, that there are some cables where it really can matter and others where it's less important. Money, time, and experienced effect (tested with some rigor), are all relevant factors, of course.

Thanks, I’ll check on that!

Thanks, jafant, and others for your reports and suggestions. One of the difficulties in contributing back to this forum is that my system is still so primitive (relative to audiophile stuff) that I'm building things up to a point where I might be able to have an opinion! But I will report what seems to be a real result, when they verifiably occur!

@mcstin I'm enjoying mine very much and just bought the Node2i. I like the CXC very much so far. I'm considering some mods, à la: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoxC3st7WQw

There are several things I like about your Emotiva more than the Cambridge CXC I just bought -- outputs, display, and the remote by a mile. The only solace I have is that I paid $399 rather than $599 and didn't get a DAC I didn't want. Happy listening!

@naimfan For what it's worth, I spent some time comparing it pretty closely to the streaming stuff I have (not high res, but 320kbs). I really heard a difference -- it was definite, clear to my ears. And I often second guess my ability to hear differences. The CXC's successor is out, so I'd suggest grabbing the CXC while it's still discounted. Crutchfield has them and a 30 day return policy.